New Finn Harps signing could face Wexford Youths in top of the table clash

ROBERT WATERS could make his Finn Harps debut in the SSE Airtricity League First Division top of the table clash against Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park, 8pm.

The 26-year-old signed for the Ballybofey club last week to bolster the attacking options after being released by Cobh Ramblers last month having scored four goals this season for the Cork outfit. Harps manager Ollie Horgan (pictured above by Gary Foy) drove to the south-west to meet the player last week.

“Robert is a lad who told me he wants to play football when we spoke last week,” Horgan said. “He’s signed until the end of the season and is available for selection on Friday night in Wexford.”

Horgan might’ve added to his offensive side of the squad but will have a few holes to fill in at the back with Damien McNulty and Josh Mailey suspended and Packie Mailey injured.

McNulty has crossed the threshold of yellow cards, while Josh Mailey was given a straight red card in last Friday’s 0-0 draw against Athlone Town at Finn Park. Packie Mailey has a calf problem since the previous week, the 1-0 loss at Belfield against UCD.

Thomas McMonagle was sent off in that contest having picked up two booking and served his one-match ban against Athlone, in a match where Horgan left with mixed feelings.

“It’s always difficult when you go down to 10 men,” he said. “That said, there’s no guarantee that we would’ve beaten Athlone with 11 men. They’re a good side, gave as much as they got and that game could’ve gone any way. Athlone will take points from teams. Maybe later in the season we will think that it was a huge point – we’ll have to see.”

Harps won 1-0 on their last visit to Wexford in April  with McMonagle scoring the only goal but were turned over by Shane Keegan’s side 3-1 in Ballybofey in June when a goal from Danny Furlong – who has scored 18 this season – and two from Andy Mulligan proved the difference in the sides.

Since then, Wexford have signed Willie Tyrell from Longford Town, former Celtic Under-19 striker Paul Cahillane and midfielder Shane Dunne has returned to the club from Drogheda United. A win on Friday would send Wexford, who also have a game in hand on Harps, top of the table.

“They have added quality – Premier Division quality,” Horgan said. “While they won here eight weeks ago, they are a better side now. It’ll take a lot of effort and some quality to get the better of them.

“We’ve eight games left and we don’t know what way it’s going to go. I don’t think any team knows what way it’s going to go. We could finish first, we could be finish in fourth. Nobody knows.”